Systemax has made significant investments in e-commerce and digital marketing in the past two years, which contributed to higher sales in the fourth quarter and for all of 2020, CEO Barry Litwin says. The distributor has also added several executives to further its digital commerce goals.
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North American net orders of Class 8 trucks increased by 212% in February over the year-ago period to 43,800, according to ACT Research, and 259,000 purchase orders were issued over the past six months, surpassing demand in the previous 18 months. Industry experts say contract and spot rates have also reached record levels, spurring the use of "swing capacity" trucks.
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of workplace safety and helped the demand for smart personal protective equipment, which delivers real-time safety information to workers and managers. Companies "have a thirst for new technologies that can help them keep their workers safe, and they are ready to start exploring what's out there," says Robert Thomma of safety startup Bodytrak.
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Sales managers must work on fostering good relationships with their teams and customers to make a positive impact, writes Colleen Francis. "Getting out from behind the desk and scheduling video time with your team and with your customers is not a temporary trend," Francis writes.
Fusion Marketing Partners CEO Christopher Ryan offers advice to business-to-business marketers on the tricky issue of pricing, urging a courageous mindset to stick to price points during pressurized times and recommending that sales representatives not be given too much pricing leeway. Maintain pricing integrity by focusing on customer relationships and spotlighting how your company offers true differentiation in the market, Ryan advises.
Your morning really starts the night before with the plan you make -- or don't make -- although not looking at your phone right away is also a good idea. A good breakfast, quality sleep and getting dressed are also recommended.
Frank Collective founder and CEO Jiffy Iuen offers tips of how female leaders can counter the stereotypes they too often get cast into of either being "overly critical and unfair" or motherly. "The challenges are real, but there are ways to be empathetic and thoughtful about your employees and responsible for a successful business," Iuen writes.
During this 90-minute open discussion, you'll exchange ideas with a trusted network of C-suite peers in distribution. Companies belonging to this community are from firms that exceed $1 billion in annual sales. There is no formal agenda or speakers -- just you and more than a dozen of your friends in distribution discussing today's pressing issues. Last year, participants shared how they were protecting their employees during the pandemic and more. Don't miss this opportunity. Register today!
The NAW Virtual Distribution Leadership Program is June 7 - 18. Designed to build the knowledge and skills that every employee needs to be a smarter business leader, this two-week virtual course will allow your leaders to conduct their day job and expand their skills at the same time. Learning how others operate, solve problems and drive solutions is one of the top reasons this NAW program is so highly rated. This course builds competence and confidence for everyone from emerging leaders to seasoned veterans. Register your team today!
In this free NAW webinar on April 6, at 2 p.m. Eastern, Ian Heller and Jonathan Bein will evaluate the marketplace strategic options available to distributors, such as becoming a third-party seller on a merchant-owned marketplace, becoming a third-party seller on a marketplace not owned by a merchant, building your own marketplace, the imperative for an industry-owned marketplace, and opting out of marketplaces. Register now! Check out the full Adding Value in a Post-Pandemic World series! Sponsored by Oracle Netsuite.
